The solution to the batten pocket / batten end / sail leech problem is a great of out-of-the-box idea. An earlier IOMICA Technical Sub-Committee wrestled with this problem and was unable to see any way around it... Can you tell us how the current solution came about?

Current solution is based on an original request for interpretation by GBR, an original proposal made by Jan Dejmo and comments received on informal meeting with sailmakers (Graham Bantock, Brad Gibson and Martin Roberts) and IOM ICA Exec representatives (Alfonso Moreno, Olivier Cohen and Robert Grubisa) during European Championship 2010 in France.

Jan Dejmo has suggested this approach and there was number of versions discussed between IOM ICA TSC and sailmakers which tested templates on actual sails before this final wording has been adopted in the last AGM. Now, the new rules have to be tested "live"...

Thanks for publishing the update - just one minor typographical error on the first page: while IOMICA is a member of IRSA, IOMICA is not an Affiliate Member of ISAF. The IRSA cube logo is appropriate, the ISAF logo is not. Thanks

hence IRSA logo above ISAF logo (with text "affiliated member) to indicate that IRSA is affiliated to ISAF. IOM logo is on the left side and there is no implication that IOM ICA is affiliated member of ISAF. Above both logos, it is stated "Recognized by" which is related to the IOM ICA.

I can check with ISAF, but am pretty sure they would object inasmuch as their logo on our published IOMICA Class Rules make it seem as though IOMICA is an ISAF affiliate member.

Although I appreciate your logic, I'm sure that I'm not the only person who missed the inference that the ISAF logo beneath the IRSA logo was meant to say "IOMICA is an associate member of IRSA which is an affiliate member of ISAF and in charge of Radio Sailing worldwide".

Since IOMICA is an associate member of IRSA and not a member of ISAF, my suggestion is to simply keep the IRSA logo and avoid confusion

Bruce Andersen wrote:I can check with ISAF, but am pretty sure they would object inasmuch as their logo on our published IOMICA Class Rules make it seem as though IOMICA is an ISAF affiliate member.

Although I appreciate your logic, I'm sure that I'm not the only person who missed the inference that the ISAF logo beneath the IRSA logo was meant to say "IOMICA is an associate member of IRSA which is an affiliate member of ISAF and in charge of Radio Sailing worldwide".

Since IOMICA is an associate member of IRSA and not a member of ISAF, my suggestion is to simply keep the IRSA logo and avoid confusion

IOM CR 2012 without ISAF logo (IOM ICA and IRSA logos are on cover page) has been published on IOM ICA website -> Class Rules page.

Actually, I believe that since IOM Class Rules have been written in what ISAF terms the Standard Class Rules (SCR) format - it is more than likely that once upon a time (back in a 2003 edition when the switch to SCR format was made) our rules writers (back then it would have been under the purview of then-RSD) would have started off by downloading ISAF's SCR template which, regardless of whether we are ISAF-recognized International Class or not (which we are still not, of course), would have been and still is the intellectual property of ISAF - so it is probably important (and proper) to acknowledge that?

I won't pretend that I'm an expert on copyright laws (which I, most certainly, am not) but, luckily, we have some people that regularly visit here that know more about that sort of thing and deal with it in their professional capacity so could, perhaps, offer their opinion? <cough> Roy> <cough>?

Marko: As a purely legal matter the inclusion of a copyright notice is helpful in protecting one's rights, but not a mandatory legal requirement. I believe the important (lol) issue being discussed however is the inclusion of an ISAF logo in the IOMICA rules letterhead. That is neither legally required nor necessary. Including a copyright notice at the bottom of a page or at the end of the document in small print (what we lawyers technically refer to as "mouse type") acknowledging ISAF's copyright ownership would be fine, but could also be left off without immediate legal problems. Finally, thanks for asking for my professional opinion, I knew that all those years of law school and practice would be useful some day. Should I send the bill to you or IOMICA. (lol, again)....roy

Thanks for the clarification. Please send your bill (and all the related expenses, of course) to IOMICA - attention of Robert Grubisa (since it was, after all, related to TSC and should be allocated to his department). I thought they would have had you on retainer already? LOL

Please note that corrected IOM CR 2012 has been published on IOM ICA web site. Typos have been corrected. "Bold" type printed terms used in ERS defined sense and using of abbreviation DNM instead of DM for IRSA Member have been fixed.

Front page is marked with "Revision 2 dated 30 March 2012" to make difference between previously published and corrected version.

Sorry for inconvenience and thanks to MYA Technical team and Chairman of IOM ICA who informed me about mistakes. I have found more new typos after several additional proof readings which have been fixed as well!